LIV Golf have confirmed have confirmed Miguel Tabuena will fill the open spot left by Patrick Reed at their curtain-raiser in Riyadh.
The PIF-backed breakaway kicks off their fourth full campaign tomorrow under the lights in Saudi Arabia.
Reed was expected to tee up alongside Dustin Johnson, Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry in the 4 Aces.
But the 35-year-old made the shock decision to walk away from LIV, despite reportedly being offered what he wanted to extend his contract.
Reed will play on the DP World Tour this season and will return to the PGA Tour from August after serving his one-year suspension.
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Tabuena will tee up alongside the 4Aces this week, LIV said in a statement.
The Filipino narrowly missed out on securing a one-year exemption with LIV Golf via the International Series’ order of merit last season.
Roster Update … LIV Golf reserve Miguel Tabuena will start for @4AcesGC_ this week at ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh
— LIV Golf Communications (@LIVGolfComms) February 3, 2026
He won his home event in the Phillipines last October but fell one spot short in the season finale to Scott Vincent and Yosuku Asaji.
It’s unclear whether Tabuena will be a permanent fixture for the 4 Aces.
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There is a very good chance he will make his second appearance for LIV next week at their annual stop in Adelaide.
Tabuena is not the only player featuring as a replacement.
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson revealed he will be absent from LIV’s events in Riyadh and Adelaide owing to a “family health matter”.
Mickelson has been replaced by Ollie Schniederjans.
Lee Westwood has also sustained a wrist injury that will see him miss the first two tournaments of the new season.
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Westwood said the injury was “nothing serious” but was told by his medical team not to overdo it.
The former world number one has been replaced by young English pro Ben Schmidt.
Jon Rahm gives opinion on Patrick Reed exit 
Jon Rahm supports Patrick Reed’s decision to rejoin the PGA Tour
Reed became the second major champion to walk away from LIV Golf on 28 January, one month after Brooks Koepka announced his decision to return to the PGA Tour.
The former Masters champion got tongues wagging when he revealed before winning the Dubai Desert Classic that he was yet to agree terms on an contract extension.
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Reed said he was a “traditionalist at heart” and was “born to play on the PGA Tour”.
Jon Rahm told reporters in Riyadh that he supported Reed’s decision, explaining that professional golfers should be free to choose where and when they play.
Tyrrell Hatton echoed the sentiments of the Spaniard.
LIV Golf signing labelled disappointing 
Thomas Detry disappointed Eddie Pepperell by joining LIV Golf
Belgium’s Thomas Detry was one of five new LIV additions ahead of the 2026 season.
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The 33-year-old agreed to join Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces after being convinced it was the right move by compatriot Thomas Pieters.
Detry was the highest-ranked player to join LIV over the winter.
Yet his decision has surprised English tour pro Eddie Pepperell, who told the most recent edition of The Chipping Forecast that he was disappointed Detry chose to join LIV.
Pepperell said Detry was, in his opinion, good enough to be a top-10 golfer who could contend to win major championships.
“And by going to LIV, I just think he certainly ruins that opportunity for the foreseeable future, and I just find that really disappointing as a golf fan, and as a fan of him and his game,” said Pepperell.
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